Epidermal pad applicator



June 1966 D. R. ADAMS 3,255,481

EPIDERMAL PAD APPLI CATOR Filed Jan 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. DONALD R. A DAMS BY W4 Wm; F G 4 ATTORNEYS June 14, 1966 D. R. ADAMS 3,255,481

EPIDERMAL PAD APPLI CATOR Filed Jan. 2, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. DON ALD R.ADAM S ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,255,481 EPIDERMAL PAD APPLICATOR Donald R. Adams, 9213 Warbler Place, Los Angeles 69, Calif.

Filed Jan. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 335,177 11 Claims. (Cl. 15-568) This invention relates generally to apparatus for medicating, cleansing, and applying a mildly abrasive action to skin tissues. The apparatus of the present invention is designed particularly for applying a mild soap and medicament to the skin for treating minor skin ailments, particularly associated with the face, such as acne, and in some cases eczema and psoriasis. It will also be appreciated that the present apparatus may be used as a means of maintaining healthy skin by gentle massaging through treatment with a medicated or non-medicated soap type of compound.

More particularly, the present invention in an illustrative form, relates to a face pad applicator device which is designed to be used as a means of applying a medicating and cleansing soapy material to the face while at the same time providing a mildly abrasive action tending to assist in the treatment of certain of the aforementioned minor skin ailments and particularly in the treatment of acne. Again, although the invention will be described from the standpoint of its application to a face of a human being, it will be appreciated that the apparatus may also be used for other skin areas.

At the present time, various medicated and non-medicated soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and the like are available on the market for the treatment of skin conditions. Normally, these soaps are applied by the hand or with a cloth or other fabric applicator. It has been found, however, that it would be extremely desirable to apply the soap in a manner such that a mild abrasive action would also take place at the same time the medicinal and cleansing effects of the soap were being achieved.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for retaining and applying a medicament and/ or cleanser or equivalent composition to skin areas, which apparatus also serves the dual purpose of simultaneously providing a mildly abrasive action to the skin which tends to asist in treating various skin conditions such as acne.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for applying medicaments and cleansing compositions to skin areas, which apparatus may be conveniently manufactured from readily available plastic materials on an economical basis.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for applying medicaments and/or soaps to various skin areas, which apparatus embodies a structure which not only functions to wet the particular skin area upon which the soap or other composition is being applied,'but which also functions to apply the composition with a controlled, mildly abrasive, clean-sing action.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved epidermal pad applicator or the like which is so constructed that the part thereof contacting the skin area is expendable and may be replaced conveniently after each use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an epidermal pad applicator which may be quickly assembled for use, and which may be conveniently held and manipulated, and yet which is so designed that it is V 1 liquid medicament, cleansing composition, or equivalent material used therewith at the point where such medicaments or soaps is required.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are generally achieved by providing an epidermal pad applicator embodying a handle, a pad holder, and a pad for retaining the combined medicaments and soap. Additionally, the applicator embodies some type of means associated with the holder for retaining the pad in position thereon.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for retaining the pad on the pad holder comprises an annular retainer ring which clamps the pad onto the pad holder.

In an alternate embodiment, the pad may be permanently embodied as a part of the holder and the whole unit may be expendable, or a throw-away item.

A better understanding of the present invention will be had by reference to the drawings, showing merely illustrative embodiments and modifications thereof, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a face pad applicator according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a View taken in the direction of the arrows 2-2 of FIGURE 1, illustrating the face pad applicator on a slightly reduced scale;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a modified form of the applicator of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is another sectional view of a modified form of the face pad applicator of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 5 is another illustrative embodiment of a part of a face pad applicator, according to the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows 66 of FIGURE 5 after a sponge covering has been applied thereon;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view of one form of a retainer ring associated with the face pad applicator shown in FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view of a modified form of retainer ring for. use with the face pad applicator shown in FIGURES l and 2.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2, a face pad applicator 10 which includes a handle portion 11, an increased diameter portion 12, and a pad retainer form or pad holder 13. The pad holder 13 is encircled with a spronge-like pad 14 which is retained on the holder 13 by an annular ring 15.

Considering FIGURES l and 2 in somewhat greater detail, it is seen that the handle portion 11 of the applicator is provided with scalloped sidewalls 16 embodying a plurality of grooves 17 interspaced with arcuate ridges or the like 18. The grooves 17 and ridges 18 co-function as a means of conveniently enabling the user to grip the sidewalls 16 with his fingers and firmly hold and manipulate the applicator 10. It is to be noted that the handle portion 11 may be adapted or modified for coupling to an automatic massaging or vibrating device.

The grooves 17 and ridges 18 also enable easy coupling by friction fit of an elongated handle. Such handle would enable the user to conveniently reach the back and shoulder areas.

In the embodiment of FIGURES l and 2, the handle 10 is integrally formed with the increased diameter portion 12, and the latter defines an annular flange 19 radially protruding outwardly beyond side walls 20 of the pad holder 13. As clearly shown in the view of FIG- URE 2, the holder 13 is also integrally formed with the handle 11. The sidewalls 20 are preferably tapered outwardly and upwardly towards the handle 11 to more conveniently enable the positioning and securing of the retaining ring 15 thereover.

In this regard, one form of the retaining ring 15 is more clearly illustrated in FIGURE 7. The retaining ring has an inner side 21 which is tapered at the same angle as the sidewalls of the pad holder 13. The ring 15 has an outer side 22 which may also be provided with a similar taper and finger gripping ribs 23 for conveniently grasping the ring 15 and urging it into position over the sponge pad 14 and the pad holder 13.

The sponge like pad 14 may be formed of any opencellular material capable of absorbing liquids, and preferably comprises a polyurethane foam material, although other flexible, open-cell synthetic plastic materials may be used. The polyurethane foam material has been found particularly advantageous in view of its mild abrasive characteristics. Such foams are readily available in several degrees of abrasiveness. Preferably, the pad 14 is a flat sheet which is formed around the pad holder 13 by the user, and thereafter the tapered ring 15 is forced upwardly so as to encircle the pad 14 and come into final engagement with the bottom of the flange 19. Towards this end, the ring 15 has an inside diameter which is such that it will tend to compress the sponge 14- in the area 24 so that the ring 15 is frictionally retained upon the upper portion of the pad holder 13 adjacent to and abutting the bottom of the flange 19.

As a feature of the present invention, the bottom portion of the pad holder 13 is provided with a concave cavity or recess 25 which co-functions with a bottom portion 26 of the pad 14 to define a chamber or reservoir which tends to retain and dispense the particular liquid soap or medicament being employed with the device. The concave'surface 25 also serves the function of readily accommodating the applicator 10 to various curves and angles characterizing the usual contours of the face, head, shoulders, and like areas.

Thus, in one form of use of the epidermal pad applicator of the present invention, some type of medicated or pure soap composition could be applied during production to the pad 14 such that it would be retained thereon for subsequent use. A plurality of these pads would be provided the user. At each time of application, the user would remove a pad 14 and bend it upwardly around the pad holder 13, and thereafter position the ring over the pad and into engagement with the flange 19 as heretofore described.

In use, the portion 26 of the pad (and in some cases the peripheral portions thereof) would be applied to the skin area in conjunction with water producing a soapy mixture which would tend to be retained in the chamber defined between the pad portion 26 and the concave surface 25. Additionally, the concave surface 25 would tend to more conveniently and properly allow the applicator to conform to cheek bones, chin bones, and the like. In this regard, it is to be noted that the concave portion '25 should be a relatively shallow concave surface wherein usage of the applicator over flat areas of the skin would not be appreciably impeded.

From the above description it will be clear that the space between the concave surface 25 and the pad portion 26, when the latter is freely stretched thereover, has the configuration of a lenticular chamber. Moreover, it will be clear, since the concave surface is, as just stated, relatively shallow, and since the pad 14 is constructed of flexible material, that when the device is used over convex portions of a users face such as the cheek bones, chin bones, and the like, just mentioned, then the flexible pad portion 26 is pressed against the concave surface portion 25, so that the lenticular space or lenticular chamber disappears by being pressed out, in effect. In this fashion, the soapy mixture or the like just mentioned will then be likewise pressed out onto the face exactly at the time and place it is needed.

In the form shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the applicator may be a solid integral structure, as heretofore mentioned, and may be formed of expanded polystyrene, ex-

panded polyethylene, or a similar relatively closed-cell material.

The ring 15 is preferably formed of some relatively rigid plastic material which is convenient to grasp and place in position.

The ring also may be modified to the form shown in FIGURE 8 wherein the ring 27 therein includes an inner side 28 which is straight or nearly so with the result that the sponge pad 14 is more securely compressed. Preferably, the holder sidewalls in this embodiment are also substantially straight as indicated at 13a, in the area underlying the ring.

A modified construction is shown in FIGURE 3 wherein an applicator 30 is shown as having a handle portion 31, which is designed to illustrate two modifications to the illustrative embodiment of FIGURE 1. The showing of FIGURE 3 discloses a hollow construction; also, it discloses a two-piece construction in which the handle and pad holder are formed separately and thereafter rigidly connected one to the other.

Thus, the handle 31 is provided with a flange 32 including a downwardly depending portion 32a. The pad holder consists of a cup-shaped member 33 which is designed to be received such that it fits within and adjacent to the downwardly depending portion 32a of the flange 32 and such that the edge 34 thereof abuts the flange 32. Preferably, the edge 34 is glued or otherwise permanently bonded to the flange 32.

In other details, the hollow construction type applicator in FIGURE 3 may be similar to the solid design of FIGURES 1 and 2. Thus, a pad 35 may be employed which is retained by a ring 36. v

In a still further modification, as shown in FIGURE 4, a different type of construction is used for joining the handle and the pad holder. Thus, FIGURE 4 discloses an applicator 40 embodying a handle 41, a pad holder 42 and a flange 43. The flange 43 is provided with an inner groove 44 designed to receive a bead 45 provided on the uppermost part of the pad holder 42. Thus, the pad holder 42 may be snapped into position within the flange 43.

Of course, other types of connections may be made between the handle and pad holder portion of the applicator according to methods well known in the art, such as threading force-fits, and the like.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

Thus, in FIGURE 5, there is shown a generally flat type applicator 50 which includes a structure having an upper face 51, a lower face 52, and a body 53 as more clearly shown in the view of FIGURE 6. Preferably, at least one of the faces, for example face 51, is concave for the same purpose as described in conjunction with FIG- URES 1 and 2. The body 53 is provided with a peripheral rectangular slot 54 designed to receive separate pads 55 and 56, respectively, extending about faces 51 and 52. The pads 55 and 56 may be formed of the same absorbent, open-cell material as the pad 14, for example, shown in FIGURE 1.

The pads 55 and 56 are preferably crimped as at 57 and 58 into the slot 54 to be permanently retained therein. It is, of course, conceivable that some type of flexible retaining member might be employed by the user and disposed in the slot 54 over the crimped portions 57 and 58 for retaining the pads 55 and 56 to the applicator 50. However, as presently envisioned, this type of applicator would be a throw-away item in which the entire unit would be expendable after use.

Of course, one advantage of this type of unit would be that both sides could be used. Towards this end, the face 52 could also be provided with a concave cavity if desired.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the epidermal pad applicator of the present invention may take a variety of forms and that various modifications and changes in the basic invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An epidermal pad applicator comprising: a handle;

a pad holder connected thereto, said pad holder being generally drumshaped and conically tapering outwardly towards said handle; an annular flange of increased diameter defined at the base of said handle and interposed between said handle and said pad holder; a flexible pad of open cellular foamed plastic material having abrasivity to human skin disposed over said pad holder; and, an annular retainer ring encircling said pad and said pad holder, and abutting said flange so as to clamp said pad thereunder and secure same on said pad holder, the face of said pad holder being slightly concave so, as to form a lenticular space defined by said flexible pad when the latter is stretched thereover, said space disappearing when said applicator is pressed against convex portions of a users face.

2. An epidermal pad applicator, according to claim 1, in which said handle and said pad holder are formed as a single integral member.

3. An epidermal pad applicator, according to claim 1, in Which said handle and said pad holder are rigidly connected together.

4. An epidermal pad applicator comprising: a handle at one end; a drum-shaped pad holder at the opposite end, said holder conically tapering outwardly towards said handle; an increased diameter portion defined by said handle and between said handle and said pad holder,

said increased diameter portion forming a protruding annular flange with respect to said pad holder; 3. flexible pad of cellular foamed plastic material having abrasivity to human skin disposed over said pad holder; at retaining ring encircling said pad and designed to engage said flange and squeeze said pad between itself and said holder; a slightly concave end portion formed in said pad holder at its free end, said concave end portion defining with said pad a lenticular chamber for holding liquids employed with said pad, said chamber disappearing when said applicator is pressed against convex portions of a users face; and, a soap material embodied in said pad.

5. An epidermal pad applicator, according to claim 4, in which said holder, handle, and increased diameter portion are formed as one integral member.

6. An epidermal pad applicator, according to claim 4, in which said handle is a hollow member, and in which said pad holder is a hollow member, andin which said handle and holder are rigidly connected with respect to each other.

7. An epidermal pad applicator, according to claim 5, in which said annular flange is provided with a downwardly depending portion, and in which said pad holder fits Within said downwardly depending portion, said ring abutting against said downwardly depending portion upon encircling application over said pad and said pad holder.

8. An epidermal pad applicator, according to claim 4, in which finger gripping surfaces are provided on said handle.

9. An epidermal pad applicator, according to claim 4, in which finger gripping surfaces are provided on said retaining ring.

10. An epidermal pad applicator comprising a generally flat piece of material having a peripheral slotshaped groove formed therein and flexible pads of resilient, spongy open cellular material disposed over each opposite face of said material and crimped and resiliently compressed into sandwich relationship within said peripheral groove, said slot being of lesser thickness than the combined thicknesses of said sandwiched pads, whereby said pads are held in place solely by means of said compressed state.

11. An epidermal pad applicator, according to claim 10, in which one face of said piece of material defines a concave surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 636,267 11/1899 Levy 15-568 1,538,575 5/1925 Mosman l5-561 2,998,822 9/1961 Birch et al 15-552 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. PHILIP R. ARVIDSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN EPIDERMAL PAD APPLICATOR COMPRISING: A HANDLE; A PAD HOLDER CONNECTED THERETO, SAID PAD HOLDER BEING GENERALLY DRUMSHAPED AND CONICALLY TAPERING OUTWARDLY TOWARDS SAID HANDLE; AN ANNULAR FLANGE OF INCREASED DIAMETER DEFINED AT THE BASE OF SAID HANDLE AND INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID HANDLE AND SAID PAD HOLDER; A FLEXIBLE PAD OF OPEN CELLULAR FOAMED PLASTIC MATERIAL HAVING ABRASIVITY TO HUMAN SKIN DISPOSED OVER SAID PAD HOLDER; AND, AN ANNULAR RETAINER RING ENCIRCLING SAID PAD AND SAID PAD HOLDER, 